Karen Susman Article - Networking: 9 Creative Ways to Keep in Touch

Networking: 9 Creative Ways to Keep in Touch©

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Networking is not just exchanging business cards. Networking is building relationships for the long term. Maintaining relationships takes work. Here are some creative ways to nurture relationships so they'll be there when you need them.

Get face to face with your customers on their turf. Visit their sites without selling anything. Ask questions, look and listen. You'll learn how to better serve your customers. You'll build trust and a relationship.
Invite a customer - potential, past or present - to attend a business event with you. Send a copy of the event notice just to inform him or her or as a follow-up or preamble to your call. In this way, you've actually created several contact opportunities.
Invite a customer to sit with you at a meeting or luncheon. Introduce your customer to everyone around you. This positions you as host and puts the customer at ease.
Hang out where your customers hang out. If they are members of professional associations or charities, attend and support those causes.
Read what your customers read. Read trade journals, neighborhood and regional newspapers. Read church and school bulletins. You'll understand your customer's needs and perspective. You can use this information to keep in touch.
Have a voice mail message that informs and calls for action. Be brief. Leave out the standard statement, "I'm either on another line or away from my desk." Your callers tune that out. Give your callers something practical and brief to listen to.
Lend a book or tape to a contact. Deliver it. Follow up to see how he or she liked it. Get together to discuss the content.
Interview a customer or contact for an article you are writing. Everyone likes to be thought of as an expert. Send your contact a copy of the published article and offer to send it to his contacts. You'll promote the expert, increase your credibility and gain exposure to potential clients.
Ask a client, contact or customer to review and comment on something you've written. This could be a brochure, sales piece, article or letter. Ask for suggestions. Send a thank you note.
Bonus: send hand written notes for every conceivable reason. You'll be remembered.

Networking is not a one night stand. Approach each person you meet as if you plan to keep in touch forever. Then do it.

Karen Susman, Speaker/Author/Coach, works with organizations and individuals that want to maximize their performance and quality of life. Check out her free tips and articles at www.karensusman.com. Karen can be reached at 1-888-678-8818 or karen@karensusman.com.

For more tips: 102 Top Networking Secrets: How to Follow Up, Keep in Touch and Turn Contacts into Customers